Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Are Eggs Good for You ? 30 Reasons to Eat Eggs

30 Reasons to Eat Eggs :

Eggs
have gotten a bad rap in the past and unfortunately, many today still believe
the wide spread misinformation.

Are eggs good for you? Do they cause heart disease? Do
they raise cholesterol? Should I avoid them?

Depending on who you ask, you may get very different
answers to these questions. Many traditional doctors still would answer that
eggs increase cholesterol and should be avoided. Some are adamant that
only the egg white should be used because of the cholesterol in the yolk. Even
when trying to research this topic, some articles still push the idea that eggs
are harmful and in order to prevent health problems, one should avoid them.

I have to admit that I once believed the propaganda
spread in the media and by drug pushing corporations. It wasn’t until I first
began seeing a naturopath that I heard that eggs are good for you and the
doctors are the ones who have it wrong. Sure, the first time my naturopath said
that, I thought he must be crazy, how could doctors be wrong? Sadly, they are
and not just about eggs.

Eggs are actually a super-food, they are packed with
nutrients vitamins and health benefits!

But
don’t eggs raise your cholesterol?

One of the main reasons eggs are avoided is due to
fear of them increasing cholesterol. However, several studies have shown that
not only do eggs not raise LDL cholesterol, but lower it. According to a recent
study, those consuming 3 eggs per day over 12 weeks were found to have lower
LDL cholesterol and raised HDL. Another study showed that those who
consumed 4 or more eggs per week had lower cholesterol than those who only ate
one egg per week.

Eggs
are good for you! Here’s why:

1. Eggs are Full of Vitamins and Minerals- Including vitamins B, C, D, E, K, and
more.

2. Lower High Blood Pressure- The peptides present in eggs
were shown to help reduce high blood pressure.

3. Great Source of Protein- Eggs
are a great source of protein, one egg
contains 6 grams of protein.

4. Omega 3’s- Eggs contain a high level of essential omega-3 fatty
acids, an essential nutrient and good for your heart.

5. Nine Essential Amino Acids- Eggs are known as the perfect food as they are the
only one that contains all 9 of the essential amino acids.

6. Can Lower Your Cholesterol- Eggs do contain cholesterol, however as mentioned
above, studies have shown that those who consume eggs regularly had a reduced
LDL and an increase in HDL (the good cholesterol).

7. Boost Brain and Nerve Health-One egg contains 20% of the daily recommended intake
of choline. Approximately 90% of Americans are choline deficient. Choline is
essential for phospholipids used in all cell membranes. Adequate levels of
choline are essential for brain and nerve health.

8. Contain Lutein and Zeaxanthin- These carotenoids are an essential component for eye
health and defend against the damaging effects of free radicals.

9. Contain Tryptophan and Tyrosine- Two amino acids which have great antioxidant
properties. Tryptophan is also important as it is converted to serotonin, a
mood enhancer and converted into melatonin in the pineal gland, which benefits
sleep.

18. Reduce Risk of Tumors- Eggs are an excellent source of selenium which has
been associated with preventing cancer and in particular reducing tumors
affecting the prostate.

19. Eggs Protect Your Eyesight- Not only do they prevent macular degeneration, but
the antioxidants in eggs also have been reported to protect eyes from damage
related to UV exposure.

20. Reduces Risk of Cataracts- The antioxidants have also been linked to reducing
the risk of developing cataracts in old age.

21. Improve Immune System Functioning- The iron contained in eggs helps support a healthy
immune system and normal red blood cell production.

22. Lose Weight- In a study from Louisiana State University,
participants who ate eggs for breakfast instead of bagels, lost more weight and
reported having more energy.

23. Reduce Risk of Breast Cancer- A recent study found that women who consumed high
amounts of choline, an abundant nutrient in eggs, were 24% less likely to get
breast cancer.

24. Source of Vitamin D- The majority of the population is deficient in
vitamin D which is essential for boosting the immune system and preventing
cancer. One egg contains 41 IU of the 600 IU recommend daily amount of vitamin
D.

25. Reduces Inflammation- The choline in eggs aids in reducing inflammation in
the body. Chronic inflammation has been linked to increasing the risk of
osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s, cognitive decline, and type 2 diabetes.

26. Beneficial for Fetal Development- The choline present in eggs is essential for
pregnant women as it is crucial for proper fetal brain development and
preventing neural tube defects.

27. Reduce Risk of Heart Attack and Stroke- Several studies have shown that the nutrients in
eggs help prevent blood clots which reduces the risk of a heart attack or
stroke.

28. Improved Memory Function- The high amount of vitamins and nutrients in eggs,
in particular choline, improves memory function and cognition.

29. Eggs Can Be Inexpensive- Many are able to get eggs for a great price when
bought from local farmers. Another option is to raise your own chickens! Not
only does this help save money and provide you with more nutritional
value, but you could sell eggs to those in the area to cover the cost of caring
for them.

30. Egg Variety- There are many ways to prepare eggs, whether you eat
them raw, scramble them up in coconut oil, or boil them. You can also add great
variety by adding in nutritious vegetables and herbs, such as to an omelet.